The Books of Moses
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children. Deuteronomy 6:4-7a
Although the title Deuteronomy comes from Greek and means “second law,” this book is essentially Moses’ farewell speech to Israel. The events of this book take place on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. It covers a period of about one month following Israel’s forty year journey in the wilderness. The opening verse says, “These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness” (1:1).
Moses gave this address to prepare the new generation for entrance into the land God promised to Abraham and His descendants and to encourage them to believe on and obey the LORD. Moses shows how God’s laws, which had been given at Mt. Sinai and would be put to use in the Promised Land. It repeats many of the events recorded in the previous four books but also serves as a battle plan for conquest, as Moses tells the people how God wanted them to deal with the people who lived in Canaan.
Moses gave this dying exhortation to his beloved people in spite of their rebellious and stubborn nature. He encouraged the people to remember the works and the promises of the LORD, and exhorted them to pass these truths and promises of the LORD on to their children and succeeding generations. While this encouragement was given to Israel, much still applies to us today. Equip the next generation by teaching them God’s Word!
Lord, teach us Your truth, and give us strength to pass Your truth on to our children! Amen.
Let children hear the mighty deeds which God performed of old,
Which in our younger years we saw, and which our fathers told.
Oh, teach them with all diligence the truths of God’s own Word,
To place in Him their confidence, to fear and trust their LORD.
The Lutheran Hymnal: 629:1,4